There has been much publicity this week about Munro's corner
being put on the market and the potential for this property to become the site
for QVM's car park. Its proximity to the market and the potential for offsite
construction make this an enticing option under certain conditions.
The disruption that would be caused by an underground car park
under A, B, and C sheds (QVM's original preference) has been clearly identified
but as a trader pointed out this week "At least it would be under QVM
control". This is a valid point because, even QVM's free parking
concessions (which many traders consider inadequate) are unlikely to be seen
under a totally privately owned car park. City car parks are big money earners
and private owners are not going to give shopper discounts just to improve
business for traders.
Peter Langtry’s proposal (http://www.victraders.com/2014/10/council-and-vic-market-traders-unite.html)
suggested planning controls or City of Melbourne ownership to handle the
control issue. It is certainly an attractive option. There are probably a
number ways of linking the site's use with the interests of the market but if
Munro's site does go solely to private developers then the likelihood of
customer friendly parking rates is probably very small - maybe short term, but
not long term.
Traders, particularly food traders, consider that our car park is
part of the essential life-blood of the market. Can that life-blood be
protected with a car park outside of QVM or CoM control?